Contributing WriterHey Aytiwan! Thanks for joining us today. How’s your summer been so far?
Hello! It’s great to be here, and thank you for having me. My summer has been quite busy so far… In the beginning, I had a lot of work for my day job while also dedicating a significant amount of time to producing new afro house projects.
Now, I’m spending some well-deserved holidays in what I call my second home, Ibiza – an island that holds a special place in my heart. I’ve always been in love with Ibiza’s unique atmosphere and its rich music culture. Being here allows me to draw inspiration from the music scene and the breathtaking surroundings, which further fuels my creativity as an artist.
Overall, my summer has been a perfect balance of work, creativity, and good times with friends and family…
Congrats on the release of your new track «Iphathi» on your own label Deep In Your Soul. What was your inspiration behind this record?
The inspiration behind this record was truly driven by the incredible vocals I received from the talented Idd Aziz. His vocals served as the foundation and catalyst for the entire track.
When I first received the vocals, I knew I had something special in my hands. I wanted to create a musical journey that would complement and enhance Idd Aziz’s vocals, while also staying true to my own artistic style. As I began working on the track, I found myself drawn to the combination of afro tech and melodic techno elements.
The fusion of these two genres allowed me to infuse the track with a powerful energy that resonates with the dancefloor, while at the same time, incorporating melodic elements that evoke emotion and take the listener on a captivating sonic adventure. It was important for me to strike a balance between the rhythmic and groove-driven nature of afro tech and the atmospheric and evocative qualities of melodic techno.
In the end, “Iphathi” became a unique blend of these genres, creating a dynamic and immersive experience for the listeners. I’m extremely proud of this collaboration with Idd Aziz, and I hope that the track will resonate with the audience and bring joy to the dancefloors around the world.
You collaborated with Idd Aziz for this project. How did you meet? What was your experience working together?
Meeting and collaborating with Idd Aziz was a fantastic experience. I have been a big fan of his work for quite some time, and I truly admire the quality and uniqueness of his productions. Being inspired by his talent, I decided to reach out to him through Instagram, hoping that he would be interested in my project.
To my delight, Idd Aziz responded positively to my message and showed genuine interest in collaborating with me. It was an exciting moment for me as an artist, knowing that I’d have the opportunity to work with someone I admire and respect in the music industry.
Throughout the collaboration process, I found Idd Aziz to be not only a remarkably talented artist but also a very open and communicative person. We worked towards making “Iphathi” the best it could be. It was a smooth and enjoyable collaboration, where both of us brought our unique strengths to the table, resulting in a track that we can both be incredibly proud of.
Working with Idd Aziz allowed me to learn and grow as an artist, and it was truly an honor to have his vocals grace my track. His contribution elevated the song to a whole new level, and I believe our combined efforts created a powerful and memorable musical piece.
What does your studio setup look like?
My studio setup may be small, but it’s where all the magic happens! As a big fan of Arturia, I have some essential pieces of their equipment that play a crucial role in my music production process. One of my main controllers is the Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 synth, which allows me to interact with my software and virtual instruments efficiently.
To ensure high-quality audio input and output, I rely on the Arturia MiniFuse 4 soundcard. This soundcard ensures that the audio signals are captured and reproduced accurately, providing a clean and pristine sound quality.
Additionally, I have the Novation Launch Control, which acts as a versatile MIDI controller, allowing me to have hands-on control over various parameters in my software and DAW. This helps me add dynamic and expressive elements to my music during production.
When it comes to virtual instruments, my go-to choices are Arturia Pigments and Mini-V3. These synthesizers offer a wide range of sounds and allow me to experiment with different timbres and textures, enhancing the creative possibilities in my tracks.
While Arturia dominates a significant part of my studio setup, I also love exploring other powerful VSTs like Diva and Serum. These plugins provide me with even more options to craft unique sounds and enrich the sonic palette of my music.
Despite the limited space, I believe that having a few essential and high-quality tools allows me to focus on creativity and get the most out of my production sessions. With this setup, I’ve been able to create music that reflects my artistic vision and resonates with my audience.
Can you mention some of the instruments that make up your trademark sound?
My trademark sound is a result of carefully crafting my music using a combination of essential instruments and innovative tools. As mentioned before, Arturia plays a significant role in shaping my sound, particularly with the KeyLab Essential 49 synth, Arturia Pigments, and Mini-V3.
Arturia Pigments and Mini-V3 are incredibly versatile virtual synthesizers that offer a wide range of preset sounds as well as the ability to design and tweak my own unique patches. These synths allow me to create captivating melodies, rich basslines, and intricate textures that define my signature sound.
In addition to the Arturia instruments, I love incorporating the Dada Life Endless Smile plugin into my tracks. This powerful tool adds a touch of euphoria and excitement to my music by creating uplifting, swelling build-ups and transitions. It adds that extra “wow” factor to certain sections, heightening the overall impact of the track.
When it comes to vocals, I enjoy experimenting with various effects and processing chains to add depth and dimension to the voice. I often use delay and reverb effects to create a sense of space and atmosphere, making the vocals sit perfectly within the mix while adding a touch of ethereal quality. These effects are carefully tailored to enhance the emotional impact of the lyrics.
Beyond specific tools, my trademark sound is also shaped by my unique approach to blending afro tech and melodic techno elements. This fusion of rhythmic, percussive grooves with emotive melodies creates a balance that drives the energy on the dancefloor while evoking emotions that resonate with the listener.
How do you define success? Is it about the numbers or is there more to it?
For me, success is not solely defined by numbers or metrics, but rather, it encompasses a much more profound and meaningful aspect. While achieving recognition and reaching a wide audience are undoubtedly rewarding, true success lies in the impact my music has on people’s lives and emotions.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of being a musician is witnessing the power of my music in connecting with others. Success, to me, is seeing people dancing joyfully and being immersed in the music, whether it’s on a small dancefloor at an intimate club or on the grand stage of a massive festival. The energy and happiness radiating from the crowd when they are enjoying my music is an incredibly rewarding experience that cannot be quantified by numbers alone.
Moreover, success extends beyond live performances. It’s equally gratifying to know that people listen to my music in the comfort of their own homes or on their personal playlists. When my music becomes a part of someone’s daily life or serves as a source of inspiration, relaxation, or joy, that is success in its purest form.
Success is about creating a deep connection with my audience through the emotions and stories conveyed in my music. It’s about touching people’s hearts, minds and souls, making them feel something special and meaningful when they listen to my tracks.
Of course, as an artist, I value growth and recognition, and numbers can provide valuable insights into the reach of my music. However, these numerical achievements are merely indicators of the larger picture of success—the impact and resonance my music has on individuals and communities worldwide.
Thanks for joining us today. Is there anything else you would like to mention before we go?
I’m excited to share some of the new projects I have in the pipeline. There are several remixes that will be released or have already been released on my label “Deep In Your Soul.” I had a blast working on these remixes, and I’m thrilled to present them to my audience. Some of the tracks include “FATÏA – Leila (Aytiwan Remix),” “Da Lee LS – The Surge (Aytiwan Remix),” “Konfluence – Karusha (Aytiwan Remix),” “Geuzz – Hypno (Aytiwan Remix),” and “Kaudron – Beautiful World (Aytiwan Remix).” Each remix allowed me to explore new creative avenues and breathe my own sound into these fantastic original tracks.
Furthermore, I have been collaborating with some incredible singers – Lizwi and Nomvula. Working with such talented artists has been an inspiring and fulfilling journey, and I’m eager to share the fruits of these collaborations with the world soon.
These new projects represent my dedication to constantly pushing the boundaries of my artistry and striving to create music that resonates with my listeners on a deeper level. I’m looking forward to connecting with my fans through these upcoming releases and continuing to spread the joy and passion of music.
Thank you for having me, and I can’t wait to share all these exciting new musical endeavors with you all! Keep an eye out for the releases, and let’s keep the music alive and thriving together!
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Aytiwan & Idd Aziz – Iphathi (incl. Kususa, &lez Remixes) is out now on Deep In Your Soul